Downtown Los Angeles has long been home to a critical mass of cultural institutions, but only recently has it been officially named and framed as a cultural district. With a unanimous vote, the LA County Board of Supervisors established the Grand Avenue Cultural District in 2025 – an initiative that formalizes a corridor of renowned cultural and educational anchors, connected by public spaces, into a unified identity... But what does it take to go from adjacency to alignment?
This session explores the Grand Avenue Cultural District as a live case study in the making. What are the strategic ambitions behind the initiative – for the public realm, for tourism, for access and inclusion? What governance model is being built, and how are diverse interests, including non-cultural stakeholders, represented? How is collaboration being resourced and sustained – and what challenges have emerged in bringing a wide range of partners into alignment? And what advice do those leading the charge have for others looking to formalize or reframe their own cultural districts?
